In addition to offering diplomas, life memberships and certificates to agricultural students who successfully pass an examination similar to the above, the highland and agricultural society resolved in 1874 to give ten scholarships of £20 each, tenable for one year, to students attending the agricultural department of Edinburgh university (the only British university that possesses a chair of agriculture), and five scholarships of £10 each to younger students, who may the second year compete for the £20 scholarships. Tile society otherwise contributes handsomely to the agricultural department of Edinburgh university. This society was also instrumental in 1875-6 in getting the government to add agriculture to the list of subjects towards instruction in the sciences of which aid is given by the science and art department. Classes were early set on foot at Aberdeen with the view of enabling teachers of country schools to qualify for giving instruction in the elementary sciences relating to agriculture. Field experiments were begun in Aber deenshire iu 1876 through the enterprise of the leading agriculturists and the liberality of several landowners and others who subscribed handsomely to the necessary funds. The highland and agricultural society resolved also in that year to start two experimental agricultural stations in the Lothians. Many farmers, both in England and Scotland, especially the latter, keep agricultural students.
The authorities in Ireland were many years ago alive to the benefits of a scientific education for farmers. The commissioners of national education have not been idle. In 1838 they established that popular, useful and well-conducted institution, Glasnevin training college, which has 180 acres of land attached. Some of the students coming from minor schools and passing an entrance examination are admitted free, and get two years' training; others pay for the bare cost of their board and lodgings; while a third class consists of young men who board at their own expense in the neighborhood, and pay a moderate fee for attendance at the classes. Lectures are regularly delivered on animal and vegetable physiology, chemistry, geology, botany and practical agriculture, while instructions in the field are carefully attended to. Much good has been done in Ireland by the attachment of small farms or gardens to about 200 national schools throughout the country, where elementary instructions in agriculture and the sciences bearing thereon are given, with excellent results. Many of the pupils pass from these schools to Glasnevin college, while the teachers of the national schools often qualify for their agricultural duties by attendance at this college and model farm. Lately, however, some of the farm schools have been discontinued by the government.